Guide for Utilities in Italy
Once you have bought your property in Italy you will need to connect/reconnect or change name for the utilties. Usually this process could take 5 working days but for very old house (especially for electricity) could take longer.
But let's see each utilites/amenities you could need in your new house:
Electricity
To get electricity in Italy you need to sign a contract with one of nation's energy providers. If the electricity is still connect in the house it's simpler because it's necessary just to transfer the name from the old owner to you and this process is called "voltura". If the electricity is not yet active it's necessary to make a new contract with the electricity supplier. This process is called "subentro".
There are several electricity providers in Italy and you are free to choose which provider you would prefer. ENEL is the Italian national power company but there are some others you can choose among. In order to set up a contract for the supply of electricity in Italy you need to contact the provider and will require proof of identity, your tax number, bank details and details of your property. It may be simpler to ask the current owner not to cancel their contract and instead to transfer them into your name. (Exclusive Property will provide this service included in the commission).
The standard electricity supply is 220 Volts (V), 50 Hertz (Hz). A variety of plugs are in use including the European-style two-pin plug.
Note: a country’s available voltage is printed on the glass of a light bulb or the light bulb packet.
Domestic goods purchased in Italy will have a compatible plug attached. Adapters can be bought for appliances with foreign plugs.
The standard voltage supply in Italy is 3KW. For most Italian homes, 3KW is sufficient, however if you feel that 3KW is not sufficient you may request an upgrade of the power from your electricity supplier (If a household expects to run a number of appliances simultaneously and exceed the power available a larger supply (up to 6 kilowatts) can be requested).
The cost of the upgrade can vary, depending on the provider.
Running Cost: Up until 2021, the average Italian household spent around € 52 per month for electricity. But between 2022-2023, the average electricity bill increased exponentially, resulting a bill of € 85 per month.
Cost to connect: Around € 60 that will be charged on the first bill.
Meter reading and bill payment
The Company sends out an estimated electricity bill every two months. The meters are read twice a year and the company will send adjusted bills in case. The bill will show the account number (numero utente), the amount due (importo) and the date it should be paid (scadenza).
The bill can be paid with direct debit if you have an Italan Bank account, or by cash or credit card reaching postal office and also by wire transfer. Usually in the last page of the bills all these information are provided.
Most homes are now furnished with an electronic remote counter which enables Company to measure the usage remotely. It also means that electricity supply can be disconnected remotely when an overdue bill remains unpaid. Before complete disconnection, the amount of electricity supplied is reduced for a period to encourage payment before complete disconnection. During this reduced power period, the supply trips out when larger appliances are used. There is a reconnection fee to re-establish normal supply after a bill is paid and this is added to the next bill.
TV tax: In Italy, every office, home, with a radio or television must pay a fixed tax called "Canone Rai". This tax is directly charged on the electricity bills. This cost is around 18 euro for each bills (bi-montly).
Just for your information the cost of electricity is not the same in all part of Italy, because the cost is determined by how much energy the region generates and the cost of producing energy.
Suggestion to reduce your electricity bill:- always switch off lights when you leave a room;
- increase your insulation system to maximize the energy efficiency of your home;
- we have a lot of sunshine in our region, so avoid the use of tumble drier but hang your laundry outside;
- have shower and less baths, so you will reduce heat water and your bill will be not so high;
- don't leave your tv or computer on standby when you are not using it, but switch it off completely.
Water
Each Italian region has a different policy with regard to the supply of water. Water rates depend on regional water reserves in each separate area. In Abruzzo for example there are company for each region, while in Molise they are still Municipalities that manage the service independently, taking care of the supply of water to users through the aqueduct networ, but private company are starting to get a foothold. Water supply is usually limited to a yearly, fixed amount, which is measured by meter, or every 4 months (also this depends from the area).
If you require additional water supplies, for example for a swimming pool, you will usually be billed separately for an extra metered supply. To register for a water supply you will need to provide your tax code and identification details, together with the address of your property. It may be easiest to arrange for the utility account to be transferred into your name from the previous owner. (Exclusive Property will provide this service included in the commission). You can usually pay bills by direct debit or at a local Post Office or agin with wire transfer to the Company bank account.
The average Italian household spends around € 37 per month on their water bill. However, the cost will vary greatly depending on the geographical location and the use.
Gas
Gas is widely used in Italy for heating the property, heating water, and cooking.
Gas supply will usually be either mains gas, which is generally available in towns, or an outdoor gas tank.
As for electricity to get gas supply in Italy you need to sign a contract with one of nation's gas providers (often gas ans energy suplier is the same, so it will be simpler in the bills/payments management). If the gas is still connect in the house it's simpler because it's necessary just to transfer the name from the old owner to you and this process is called "voltura". If the gas is not yet active it's necessary to make a new contract with the Company.
There are several electricity providers in Italy and you are free to choose which provider you would prefer. (Exclusive Property will provide this service included in the commission).
The cost of connecting to the gas network changes from area to area and it’s determined according to what the distributor and the local authority have decided.
Do not you reside in Italy or do you have not an Italian bank account?
If you don't reside in Italy, don't worry because you can ask for an electricity and gas contract: for the gas contract nothing changes but let's see what happen for electricity. For electricity exist two tipe of contract, resident and not residence: if you match the second case, annually you will pay somewhat higher fees and charges than customers resident in Italy.
N.B.: Even though many towns have it, lot of people never hooked up to the mains so they need to get gas bottle (bombole) to use for cooking etc. In each village or towns or at least in the neighbor towns, there are shop for this. When you live outside (in the countryside) of where there are not gas lines you will need to have a large tank of gas. Company will come out and fill these for you.
Although the average national gas bill is considered to be € 80 - € 120 per month, you'll have to consider the area you’re moving to for better estimation. This is because Italy has different climates and gas providers have divided the country into 6 payment zones. For example, if you’re moving to Abruzzo or Molise, you are going to consume and spend less than one-third on gas than your friend moving to Milan.
Waste Disposal in Italy (TARI)
This is the tax regarding the waste collection. Rubbish collection services is charged by each separate region. The amount of tax will depend on the town/city your property is located in and the size of the property and the number of people living in that place. The payment is usually required once a year or twice. The Municipality prepare this. You will receive an invoice directly from the town hall in your mail stating how much and how you have to pay.
IMU
Once called ICI, IMU is the regular property Italian tax, like in many other countries.
If your property in Italy is your main residence, and you live here for more than 6 months in a year then you do not have to pay this tax.
The IMU is calculated “pro-quota” for each co-owner and for the number of the months they actually owned the property in the year, on the basis of the property cadastral value, as shown in the property records (visura catastale).
However, if the house is categorized as luxury, you need to pay it anyway, regardless of the fact that is your main residence. So, also if the property in Italy is your second house, you should pay this tax.
It is around 5% of the cadastral value of the house plus a 5% multiplied by a coefficient that varies from city to city. In general, on average, it is 1,0 – 1,3 % of the cadastral value.
The municipality where your property is located will not send you a bill at home, but they will only notify you of the deadline and the coefficient used.
To perform the calculation and the actual payment you may need to discuss that with your service agent or accountant.
This Italian Municipal Property Taxes are payable in June (for the months January – June) and December (for the months July – December).
Internet
Internet in some areas of Italy can be slow so it would be worthwhile checking with a service provider or the current owner that you will be able to connect to the internet and the likely speeds before you purchase.
There are several companies offering a variety of packages and rates, which may include broadband, TV and telephone.
Phones
There are multiple providers of phone and internet service in Italy. Telecom Italia is the national supplier of telephone landlines in Italy.
You can arrange your telephone connection by contacting their customer service centre. You will need to provide your tax number and proof of identity.
Telecom Italia also provide Internet services.
The information on this page is compiled with the greatest care; nevertheless, no rights may be derived from this information and optional attachments. We recommend that you check with the Provider of each Service and or Town Hall. Costs and prices given here are just indictive and aproximate only.
